CAPTURED MISSIONARIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 27 October 1928, Page 9

CAPTURED MISSIONARIES

MISSES TOBIN .AND WATKINS United p ress Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received 27th October, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, 26th October. The Rev. C. J. Blanchett, the Mis. sionary Society’s Canton secretary, writes a letter dated 28th September describing the capture of Misses Tobin and Watkins on the 24th September. “While proceeding up the Fu river to Kweilin with an American missionary named Lowe and an armed guard,’ he states, “Misses Tobin and Watkins outstripped Lowe’s party and the boat was mowed while the boatman ate )lis evening meal of rice. Suddenly four or five evil men came aboard and covered the women with their rifles. They then ransacked the boat and hurried the women up the hillside, compelling Miss Watkins to hide her conspicuous dress with a heavy coat. She lagged behind exhausted and the bandits eventually replaced the coat with a lighter dress which they had stolen. She gave the coat to Miss Tobin. Miss Watkins was then left behind, as she was tired out. She eventually found her way to the riverside, where she- rejoined Lowe s partv. Miss Tobin has still _ not been released, despite negotiations. ’